Under the Arabian Moon: Bhargav’s Romantic Dubai Journey with Thrillophilia
They say every love story has a place that holds pieces of two hearts growing together. For us, that city was Dubai.
My wife and I had talked about a “perfect romantic getaway” several times. But life always found ways to postpone it, and we kept telling each other, “Someday soon.”
Then, Valentine’s week was approaching, and this time, we promised not to wait.
I still remember our excitement as we planned the itinerary that included dolphins, deserts, skylines, and a whole world of firsts. What we did not know was how magical this trip would turn out to be.
Dolphins, Sunsets, and a Cruise into Love
We landed in Abu Dhabi with our hearts racing and eyes twinkling. After a comfortable drive to Dubai, we checked into our hotel early, thanks to the warm hospitality arranged by Thrillophilia in advance. The view from our room was absolutely beautiful as we could see wide roads and tall glass buildings.
Our first stop was the Dolphin & Seal Show. To our surprise, it was a beautiful and joyous start to the trip. My wife laughed with her eyes wide as the dolphins performed. I was already glad we came.
But it was the evening that truly set the tone.
We stepped onto a Marina Dhow Cruise that was lit up with golden lights and the sound of soft music. The breeze was slow as we glided through the glittering skyline of Dubai while dining under the stars. We enjoyed the beautiful spectacle together and made the moment memorable.
Diving into the City Dreams
The next day took us deeper into the centre of the city. We started with a Dubai City Tour to explore the contrasts of old souks filled with spices and gold and futuristic marvels like Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Mosque. At every turn, Dubai felt like a city that believed in the impossible.
Then, we visited our long-awaited dream: the Burj Khalifa. As the elevator climbed to the 124th and 125th floors, we were quiet. And when the doors opened, the world opened with them.
The view was endless as there was a desert on one side, the sea on the other, and a sparkling city on the rest of the area.
That evening, we stood before the Fountain Show to see the music rising with water dancing to its rhythm. It felt like the universe had composed a symphony just for us.
Atlantis, Adventures, and Valentine’s Day Magic
It was Valentine’s Day, and I had planned the perfect celebration.
We spent the morning at Aquaventure Waterpark, where we raced down slides, laughed out loud, and relaxed in lazy rivers. We were just two kids in love, making the most of a day that felt made for us.
In the afternoon, we entered a different world at the Lost Chambers Aquarium.
We walked through glowing tunnels, surrounded by over 65,000 marine creatures. While holding hands under the soft blue light, we whispered stories about each fish like they were our old friends.
I gave her a small note I had written, folded inside a seashell-shaped box.
It said: “Of all the depths I have explored, none are as beautiful as the depth of your love.”
She cried. There was no other place or day as perfect as this.
Lights, Sand, and a Star-Lit Dinner
On the fourth day, we visited AYA Universe, which was an immersive art space that felt like walking inside a dream. Lights moved, floors glowed, and we giggled in wonder. It was modern, yes, but something about it felt oddly emotional, like we were exploring a universe we had created just for each other.
Then we went for the Desert Safari, and it was like nothing we had ever done.
Dune bashing had our hearts racing while the sun was setting behind golden hills. As the sky turned pink, we climbed a dune and just stood there. The desert held our silence, and we admired the views.
On that night, we feasted on BBQ under the stars, watched belly dancers twirl in firelight, and shared stories with fellow travellers. The breeze was cool, and the food was warm, and enjoying this experience together made this moment even more wonderful.
Abu Dhabi’s Charm and Ferrari-Powered Thrills
On our last day, we went back to Abu Dhabi.
There, we visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which was a splendid monument of faith and architecture. The white marble domes and gold-plated chandeliers made us both reflect on how far we had come.
Then we turned the energy up with a visit to Ferrari World. I had always been a car enthusiast, and she had always been calm to my speed. But when we rode the Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world, she screamed louder than I did!
After the ride, she clutched my hand and laughed, “Now that is what falling in love all over again feels like.”
We ended the day with dinner while watching the city pass by from our car window. The skyline blurred, but our memories were sharper than ever.